Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, North and West Alaska CESU | G19AS00047

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What agency is offering this funding opportunity?

The opportunity is offered by the Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

What kind of funding mechanism is this (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?

The award is structured as a cooperative agreement. That means the project is expected to involve substantial collaboration between USGS and the selected partner, rather than being managed as a hands-off grant.

What network or program is this opportunity released under?

This discretionary funding opportunity is released under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) network, specifically the North and West Alaska CESU.

What is the primary purpose of the project?

The core purpose is to use satellite imagery to identify and analyze beaver pond complexes located on National Park Service lands in northern and western Alaska, and to produce a structured inventory and dataset of these pond complexes.

Which National Park Service units are included in the project area?

The work focuses on four park units: Noatak National Preserve, Cape Krusenstern National Monument, Kobuk Valley National Park, and Bering Land Bridge National Preserve.

What is meant by a "beaver pond complex" in this context?

Based on the description, the project is not limited to single ponds. It targets pond complexes, meaning groups or networks of beaver-created ponds and dams that are configured across landscapes and hydrologic settings.

What are the main expected outputs or deliverables?

The partner is expected to produce an inventory and a list of representative beaver ponds/pond complexes across the four park units, resulting in a structured dataset that captures locations, configurations, and variation across landscapes and hydrologic settings.

Is the deliverable only a map of beaver pond locations?

No. A key deliverable is a categorized inventory that distinguishes different types of beaver ponds and pond complexes, not just a map of where ponds exist.

What kinds of classification attributes are expected in the inventory?

The announcement provides examples of classification attributes, such as whether a pond is associated with a stream, an oxbow feature, or a lake outlet, and whether trees are present or particular shrub taxa occur in surrounding vegetation. It also calls for characterizing dam age and incorporating other relevant geographic attributes.

Does the project involve GIS and remote sensing work?

Yes. The opportunity emphasizes using satellite imagery, imagery interpretation, and GIS-oriented classification to convert remote-sensing observations into an organized, usable inventory for comparison, planning, and targeted fieldwork.

How will the inventory be used by resource managers and researchers?

The inventory is intended to provide a practical, research-grade dataset that resource managers and researchers can rely on for comparison across sites, planning, and targeting fieldwork in remote locations.

Does the project support field sampling?

Yes. The inventory is intended to support on-the-ground sampling during the summer field season, including selection of a subset of beaver pond complexes for more intensive study.

What additional data products may be developed for selected sites?

For targeted sites selected for more intensive study, the partner would develop or provide high-quality spatial data products such as orthoimagery and digital elevation models (DEMs).

What are the orthoimagery and DEMs expected to be used for?

These products would help quantify pond and dam morphology, surrounding terrain, and hydrologic connectivity, and they would also support safe and efficient field planning in remote locations.

Does the opportunity include monitoring over time, or is it a one-time inventory?

It includes seasonal monitoring. The description emphasizes monitoring beaver behavior and time-sensitive events that influence pond formation and persistence, indicating the work goes beyond a one-time static map.

Which seasonal events are specifically highlighted for monitoring?

Examples called out include spring snowmelt, flooding, and fall freeze-up, which can reshape channels, affect dam stability, and influence how beavers use pond complexes over time.

How long is the project planned to run?

The work is planned as a three-year effort, suggesting an iterative approach that can include initial identification, classification, site selection, detailed geospatial products, and ongoing monitoring across seasons and years.

What is the anticipated number of awards?

USGS anticipated making one award.

What is the maximum funding amount for the award?

The award ceiling listed is $80,364.

When was the opportunity posted and what was the original closing date?

The opportunity was posted on April 15, 2019, with an original closing date of April 29, 2019.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The listing references CFDA 15.808.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to qualified CESU partners for the North and West Alaska CESU. The listing notes "Others," with additional eligibility details referenced in the full announcement.

Why does the opportunity emphasize "substantial collaboration"?

Because it is a cooperative agreement, the project is expected to be carried out with active involvement and collaboration between USGS and the selected CESU partner throughout the work.

What is the overall intended impact of the project?

The end result is meant to be a practical, research-grade inventory and mapped set of products to support National Park Service resource management and broader scientific understanding of beaver-driven landscape change in Arctic and subarctic environments.